Years ago, a Missouri congregation listened to a young preacher who had walked twenty miles to deliver the sermon. Tired and hungry, the young preacher failed miserably. The people were unresponsive; they didn’t know he had walked the long weary miles to teach God’s Word. When the service was over no one offered him food or a place to rest, but as he started down the long road home with a broken heart, the black janitor of the all white church asked him to share his lunch with him in a nearby shed.
Years passed. God had plans for the young preacher who had failed so miserably and he became Bishop Marvin of world-wide acclaim. After many years, the man once more stood in the same spot to dedicate a great country church. The whole community was assembled. It was a tremendous event in the life of the community. When the service ended, many crowded around offering compliment after compliment, but the Bishop waved them all aside and found his old friend, the janitor who was now an old man. He said, “When I was here years ago I was dejected and depressed and you offered me your friendship. I have never forgotten that moment. Today I want to spend my time with you.”
